Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group

Warwickshire Local Geological Site Site No: 91 Cherry Orchard Brickpit Geological Ashow Formation (Permian) Formations Criteria Form p 2 Description p 3 Photographs p 4 Location Map p 5

Local Geological Sites (LoGS), designated by locally developed criteria, are currently the most important places for geology and geomorphology outside statutorily protected land such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The designation of LoGS is one way of recognising and protecting important Earth science and landscape features for future generations to enjoy.

WGCG is responsible for the identification of LoGS in Warwickshire and the .

Please note that designation of a site as a LoGS does not confer a legal right of access. Unless the site is on a designated public right-of-way, the landowner's permission is required before visiting.

Warwickshire Local Geological Site - Criteria Form Site name: Cherry Orchard Brickpit Also known as: District: County: Warwickshire Grid reference: SP 295 721 LoGS Number: 91 ESCC Class: ED Brief Description: A rare section in the Ashow Formation of the Permian Warwickshire Group. During the restoration of the former brickworks, a section in the mudstones, some 6m deep was preserved. This is believed to correlate with the lower part of the formation. The mudstones are red- brown in colour and frequently display green reduction spots. This site qualifies as a Local Geological Site for the following criteria: A Good Example of the mudstones of the Ashow Formation and complements exposure of sandstones at LoGS 27 (Ashow Site); owing to the small exposures of the Permian in Warwickshire this section is especially important as a site for research and teaching. Educational Fieldwork 1. Educational Potential  2. Physical access  3. Safety  Scientific Study 1. Diversity of interest 2. Rarity of interest  3. Size of feature  4. Typicalness of feature  5. Geological/physiographic linkage to: Ashow Site  (27) Historical Value 1. Celebrity link 2. Pioneering 3. Historical link research Aesthetic Value In The Landscape 1. Local importance in the 2. Promotion of Earth science landscape Signed Date first selected 6th June 2006 Reviewed by LoGS panel Oct. 2009 Further survey required LoGS Confirmed 

I M Fenwick, Chairman, Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group Endorsed by Warwickshire Museum Natural

J Radley, Keeper of Geology J A Irving, Conservation Adviser In the event of any development or planning consultation relating to this site or its surrounds please inform: The LoGS Officer WGCG, c/o Keeper of Geology, Warwickshire Museum, Market Place, Warwick CV34 4SA (tel: 01926-418182) WARWICKSHIRE GEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION GROUP LOCAL GEOLOGICAL SITE (LoGS)

Site 91 Cherry Orchard Brickpit Parish District Warwick County Warwickshire National Grid Reference SP 295 721 Ordnance Survey Sheets 1:50000 140 1:10000 SP 27SE

Location The site is located on the northern (uphill) side of the recreation area. The section was preserved in the 1970s on completion of extraction at the former quarry.

Summary of Interest This is a rare section in the Ashow Formation of the Permian Warwickshire Group, the only other LGS in this Formation being on private land in Ashow village (no. 27). During the restoration of the former brickworks, a section in the mudstones, some 6m deep was preserved. This is believed to correlate with the lower part of the formation. The mudstones are red-brown in colour and frequently display green reduction spots (known by the quarrymen as ‘fisheyes’). The section will require frequent attention in order to maintain the exposure of the soft sediments. Owing to the very limited exposures of this Formation in Warwickshire this section is especially important as a site for research and teaching and complements LGS 27 where only the sandstones of the formation are revealed. British Geological Survey P212271 (1979)

Warwickshire Geological Conservation Group (2009) Link to Resurveyed LoGS document http://lgs.wgcg.co.uk/LoGS91-Resurvey.pdf